3D LTCC structure for a large-volume cavity-type chemical microreactor
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the research activity and results to research and development society on the field of ceramic microsystems.
Design/methodology/approach
The chemical reactor was developed as a non-conventional application of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) and thick-film technologies. In the ceramic reactor with a large-volume, buried cavity, filled with a catalyst, the reaction between water and methanol produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide (together with traces of carbon monoxide). The LTCC ceramic three-dimensional (3D) structure consists of a reaction chamber, two inlet channels, an inlet mixing channel, an inlet distributor, an outlet collector and an outlet channel. The inlet and outlet fluidic barriers for the catalyst of the reaction chamber are made with two “grid lines”.
Findings
A 3D ceramic structure made by LTCC technology was successfully designed and developed for chemical reactor – methanol decomposition.
Research limitations/implications
Research activity includes the design and the capability of materials and technology (LTCC) to fabricate chemical reactor with large cavity. But further dimensions-scale-up is limited.
Practical implications
The technology for the fabrication of LTCC-based chemical reactor was developed and implemented in system for methanol decomposition.
Originality/value
The approach (large-volume cavity in ceramic structure), which has been developed, can be used for other type of reactors also.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Mr Mitja Jerlah for fabricating the test samples.
The financial support of the Slovenian Research Agency as part of research program P2-0105 is gratefully acknowledged. A part of this research work was also included in the Centre of Excellence NAMASTE, which is financially supported by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia. The application part of this research work was carried within the project CERACON funded by European Space Agency (PECS Arrangement No 4000103742/11/NL/KML).
Citation
Belavič, D., Hrovat , M., Makarovič , K., Dolanč, G., Pohar , A., Hočevar, S. and Malič, B. (2015), "3D LTCC structure for a large-volume cavity-type chemical microreactor", Microelectronics International, Vol. 32 No. 3, pp. 133-137. https://doi.org/10.1108/MI-01-2015-0011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited